Driven steerable wheels for mine haulage vehicles



Feb. 9, 1960 LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR L. LEE

5M J (M L A; ATTORN EY Feb. 9,1960 A. L. LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE- VEHICLES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

ARTHURL. LEE

5 724.1,. J F; A

M ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 E 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLEWHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

ARTHUR L. LEE

Sta-gap ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 A, L. LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES v Filed Feb. 26, 1957. Y 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ARTHUR L. LEE

v, I ATTORNEY.

Feb. 9, 1960 LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES Filed Feb. 26, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ARTHUR L. LEE

sM'VTEZ 4 ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES v Filed Feb. 26, 1957 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 1N VEN TOR.

ARTHUR L. LEE

BY g

A; ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 A. L. LEE 2,924,288

DRIVEN STEERABLEWHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES Filed Feb. 26. 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 I N VEN TOR.

ARTHUR LEE 5M J E; a

ATTORNEY United States DRIVEN STEERABLE WHEELS FOR MINE HAULAGE VEHICLES Arthur L. Lee, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Consolidation Coal Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 26, 1957, Serial No. 642,431 7 Claims. C1.1s---43 Another object of this invention is to provide a dif ferential mechanism including a differential housing which is freely interchangeable to dilferentially drive either the front pair of wheels or the rear pair of wheels. 7 Another object of this invention is to provide a drive mechanism for a haulage' vehicle wherein the differential is positioned outside of the vehicle frame and detachably secured to the wheel assemblies.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide a power driven steerable wheel assembly in which the king pin and the drive gearing are arranged within the lateral limits of the wheel. 7 1

Another object of this invention is to provide a power driven steerable wheel assembly wherein the moving'parts of the spindle bracket cover shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 in Figure] showing in detail theoutboard bearing'carrier portion o-f the spindle bracket cover.

Figure 9 is a sectional plan View taken along the lines 9-9 in Figure 5 illustrating in detailrthe differential mechanism.

Figure 10 is, an enlarged view in section illustrating the bearing carrier member.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a haulage vehicle 10 having a material receiving portion 1 2 extending-lengthwise thereof. The material haulage portion 12 is provided with a conveyor means (not shown) adapted'to discharge the material therefrom. The haulage'vehicle 10 is provided with aprime mover 14, which in this instance is an electric motor. The prime mover 14 is connected to a transmission 16'b-y means of a propeller shaft 18. Thetransmission leiis adapted to provide a plurality of speeds in both directions while the prime mover 14 maintains a constant output speed. Auxiliary output shafting 20 is 1 connected at one end to the transmission 16 andjat its other end to a conveyor drive mechanism 22. A clutch 1 member 24 controls the drive of the conveyor drive mechanism The transmission 16 includes a differential diagrammaticallyindicated at 26 which is-driven by the output gear ofthe transmission and provides differential drivefor the longitudinally extending output shafts 28 and 3th The output shafts 28 and 30, though driven through differential 26, both rotate in the same direction.

are easily lubricated Without dismantling the Wheel from relation to each other which will be described more fully hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings to be taken as part of this specification there is clearly and fully illustrated a preferred embodiment of this invention, in which drawrngs: y p

- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a shuttle car. illustrating the driving connections between the prime mover and the four wheel assemblies.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation similar to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section takerralongthe line 33 in Figure 1 illustrating the drive'connection between a pair of Wheels on opposite sides of the'haulage vehicle.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 1 illustrating the driving'connection between the other pair of Wheels positioned on 0pposite sides of the haulage vehicle. a

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view takenalon'g the line 5-5 in Figure 2 illustrating a wheel assembly with the differential mechanism positioned between the wheel assembly and the vehicle frame.

Figure 6 is'a view. in front elevation of the supporting bracket and 'difierential mechanism illustrated; inFigure 5.

The output shaft 28 extends toward the front end of thevshuttle car 10 and isconnected at its free end to a 'ditferential mechanism 32. Similarly the output shaft 30 extends longitudinally toward the rear 'of theghaulage vehicle 10 and is connected tdanother difierential 32 which is'similar in construction to the first named 'differ- 'ential. y The haulage vehicle 10 is propelled by a front pair-of driven wheels and a rearpair of driven wheels 34 which receive their driving power from a single prime mover 14. The front wheels 34 are a part of a pair of duplicate'wheel assemblies 38 which are detachably secured to the opposite ends 52 of an equalizer axle 36 (Fig. 3). The equalizer axle end portions 52 are similar in shape to securing brackets 52 later described. The equalizer' axle 36is connected to the haulage vehicle 10 by means of the longitudinally extending pin member 40. A transversesh'aft 42 connects the differential '32 with a bearing carrier 44. Power delivered from the primemover 14 is transmitted through the longitudinally'extending output shaft 23 to the differential 32 (Figs. 1 and 2) and from the differential 32 to the adjacent wheel assembly 38, as will be later explained, and to the opposite wheel assembly by means of the transverse shaft 42, as will also be later explained. The rear pair of wheels 34 are delivered from the prime mover 14 through the trans mission 16 tothe other longitudinally extending output shaft 30 (Figs. 1 and 2). The output shaft 30 is con nected at its free end to the other differential 32 to pro vide power to the adjacent wheel 34 and power to the opposite wheel 34 by means of the transverse shaft 42 and bearing carrier 4-4. It should be noted that the trans;

Patented Feb. 9, 1960 verse power delivery shafts 42 extend below the horizontal axis of the wheels 34 thus providing additional haulage area within the material haulage portion 12. Each of the wheel assemblies 38 is provided: with steering arms 48 which are interconnectedto eaeh other by a steering mechanism not shown) so that the four wheels are both power driven and steerable.

Figure illustrates in detail a wheelassembly 38;

includes" a wheel 34, detachably securednto a securing bracket '52. Siu ce;this is a view of a rear wheel assembly, the securing bracket 52 is rigidly secured to the vehicle frame 46 as by welding or the like.

It should again be noted in regard to Figure 3 that th j transverse equalizer axle 36 has end portions 52 which are formed asduplicates of the securing brackets 52 but in this instance thesecuring bracket portions 52 are integral with theequalizer axle 36cand not secured tothe vehicle frame portions 46 .as illustrated in Figure 4.

The wheel assembly 38' has asupportingbracket 50 and a spindle bracket assembly '54 pivotally connected thereto. .T he wheel 34 is rotatably positioned on the spindle bracket 54 and has a conventional wheel rim 58 mounted thereon.

The wheel 34 is driven by the ditferential mechanism32 through a: universal joint 60 and a pinion gear 62 supporte by the'spindle bracket assembly 54. A large ring gear 64 is secured to the wheel34 and is in meshing rela-,

tion with the small pinion gear 62 so that upon rotative movement of the pinion gear 62 the wheel 34 is drivenfby i means of-the large ring gear 64. Throughout this specifi cation the term wheel assembly includes the following structure: wheel 34, wheel rim 58, supporting bracket 50, spindlebracket 54, universal joint 60and driveg'earing 62 and 64.

In my wheel assembly38 the wheel 34 is steerable means of the pivotal connection between the supporting a pair of horizontally spaq ed fl 'v portions 100 and 0 extending wardly therefrom. a

The flange portions 100 and 102 have a pair of vertically aligned apertures 104 therethrough; The supporting bracket king pin receiving portion 78 is positioned be tween the spindlebracket flangeportions 100 and 102 with the cylindrical bore"82i 'aligned with the spindle.

bracketapertures 104,- A king pin 84 is positioned in the aligned apertures and bore. and secured therein by means of cap members 106 and 1 08. In this manner the spindle bracket 92 is pivotally secured to the s'upporlting bracket 50 along a substantially vertical axis. v i

The spindle bracket body portion hasan annular bearing carrier portion 110'arranged below the spindle 98.

The spindle bracket cover 94is dish shaped (Figs. 5, 7 and. i

8) and has a central aperture 112 therethrough. The spindle bracket cover 94 also has an outboard bearing supporting. portion ll4 positioned below. the aperture 112 and a pinion gear receiving portion 116. t The bearing portion '1141an d pinion gear receiving portion 116. are

axially aligned. with the spindle .bracketflannular bearing carrier: portion- 110 The spindle bracket-cover member 94 has a plurality of apertures 118 therethrough around its outer periphery and is securedlt o the spindle bracket by means .of bolts 120 extending therethrough and into aligned threaded bores 122m thespindle bracket92.

The jwheel 34 has a body ortiontmwith a cylindrical hub portion 126. extending inwardly therefrom. The.

wheel hubpontion, 126 is suitably supported on roller bearings 128 positioned on. the spindle 9850" that the wheel member 34 is:rotatable relative to thejspindle 98. A cap member 130 retains the bearing 128in proper position on bracket SD-and the spindle bracket assembly 54 and is driven by means of the power connection described. It

should be noted that boththepivotal connection and the c.

drive gearing are substantially within the lateral limitsof the wheel'rim ss thus providing a compact wheel assembly that may-bepositioned closely adjacent the vehicle frame so that the vehicle'may be operated in confined spaces.

Referring in detail to the stmcturedisclosed in Figure l l 5, there is shown a supporting bracket 50 having aver;

tically extending body portion 66.with a pair of spaced vertical flange portions 68. The flange portions 68 are rigidly and detachablyconnected to outwardly extending flange portions 70 of the securing bracket 52 by means of bolts 72 thereby rigidly and detachably securing. the supporting bracket 51040 the securing bracketl52u The flange portions 68 forrn a recessed portion indicated. at 74 therebetween. The supporting bracket body portion also hasua, pair of spaced inwardly extending horizontal flange portions 76 which form with the vertical flange portion68 a cylindrical recessed portion 74 in the body portion 66. t The recessed portion 74 is cup shaped with the supporting bracket body portion 66 forming an end wall for the recessed portion 74. The cup shaped re .5. cessed-portion 74 has its open endiportion facing the vehicle frame 46. Thesupporting bracket thas a pin receiving portion. 78extending outwardly and up the spindle 98. The wheelihub 126] has an annular .ex-

ternaltoothed'ring gear 64 rigidly secured thereto for.

rotation therewith. i As stated, the wheel member 34 has a conventional wheelrim 58 secured to its outer periphery. It should againbenoted at. this point that theyvheel assembly .;38 is so constructed that both'the kingpin 84 and: the driven gear :64 are confined substantially to the lateral limits of 'the'wheel. rim 58 to present a compact driven andsteerable wheel assembly of limited lateral dimension. d ,1

A power transmitting shaft 132'is-rotatably supported at its outboard end by means of rollerbearings 134 posi- .tioned within. the spindle cover outboardbearing supporting portion 114. The inboardend ofthe shaft 132 is rotatably supported in bearings 136 secured to the spindle, bracket annular bearingcarrier portion 110.

The pinion. gear 62 is. splined to the power transmitting t shaft .132 and is positioned ,in the pinion gear receiving portion 116. Thepinion gear. .62 is in'meshing relation with the large ring gear 74 which is secured to the wheel .ferential 32 is transmitted through the universal joint t and power transmitting shaft 132 to pinion gear 64 and hub 126. Auniversal joint ,60 connectstheinboard end of the shaft 132 with a transverse output shaft of the diflerential 32 .so that output drive power from the difthe largering gear 38. t It shouldbe noted thatthe universal'joint 60 is positioned below and in vertical alignment with the longitudinal axis of kingpin 84.. t

The differential 32 illustrated in FiguresS, 6 and 9 i has a cylindrical carrier .140 with kcircular side .walls ferential" power input shaft receiving. portion. 150 exincludes a spindle bracket92 and a spindle bracket cover 1%: 9 4. The spindle bracket 92 has a body portion96 with a spindle member 98extending outwardly therefrom and 142 andf144. The side wall142 a circularinward- I ly extending circumferential flange pbrtion146 which abuts the inner circumferential edge 148 of the other side. wall 144 thus forming a cylindrical: carrier, As will be later described the differential carrier supqy ports thevarious gears, shafts and bearings of. th edifferential32 so that it'is a self-contained sealed unit adapt ed to retain a separate supply of lubricant for the'differential 32.- The circular flange portion 146fhas a diftending therefrom. The side wallsl142 and 144 have output shaft supporting portions 152 extending therefrom along the longitudinal of the housing140.

Y The view of Figure9is taken alongrtheli'ne 9-9 of Figure 5 whichin turn illustrates the. arrangement of the wheel assembly 38 as it is connected' to a rear wheel 34. The power output shaft 30 from the transmission 16 is connected to the power input shaft154 of the differential 32. which is rotatably supported in the input shaft housing 150. A bevel gear 156 is secured to the end of the differential power input shaft 154 and is in meshing relation with a large bevel ring gear 158. The ring gear 158 has a housing portion 160 which is rotatably supported on bearings 162 to rotate along an axis transverse to the axis of theditferential power input shaft 154. A diiferential cross 163 extends through and is'secured to the housing portion 160 which is rotatably secured on bearings 162. Planettype bevel gears 164 are rotatably secured to the arms of the cross 163 and are in meshing relation with a pair of bevel gears 166. The gears 166 are secured to transversely extending power output shafts 168 and 170; In Figure 5 transverse shaft 170 is connected to the universal connecting means 60. The other-transversely extending output shaft 168 is connected to the transverse shaft 42 and provides dif-' ferential drive for the opposite. wheel assembly 38 through the bearing carrier 44. As described the differential carrier side wall 142 is secured to the inner wall of the supporting bracket body portion66 by means of a plurality of bolts 172. The pin members 174 (Fig. 5) adjacent theinwardly extending horizontal brackets 76 restrain the differential carrier 140 from rotation.

In order to provide proper drive for the vehicle the pairof transverse shafts 42 (Fig. 1) must rotate in the same direction. Since the power output shafts 28 and 30 from the transmission differential 26 are arranged to rotate in the same direction, a reversal in the direction of rotation must be made between one of the output shafts 28 or 30 and one of the transverse shafts 42.

This is accomplished in my vehicle by employing a pair of differentials of identical construction housed in identical carriers and having in one instance the differential.

32 secured to the supporting bracket 50 by the carrier side wall 142 (rear wheels) and in the other instance (front wheels) the differential 32 secured to the sup-' porting bracket 50 by the carrier side wall 144. Thus, as in Figure 1, the largering gear 158 would be adjacent the wheel assembly 38 in the rear wheels and would be adjacent the vehicle frame in the differential 32 driving the front wheels. In this manner the ring gear 158 would be on the outboard side of the differential for the rear wheels and on the inboard side of the difierential for the front wheels. With this arrangement identical differentials 32 in identical carriers 140 are employed for both the front and rear wheels and yet the efiective direction of rotation of one of the longitudinally extending power output shafts 28 or 30 can be reversed so that both transverse shafts 42 and the gearing in the wheel assemblies 38 connected thereto rotate in the proper direction.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 the transverse shaft 42 is connected at one end to a differential output shaft 168 and at the other end to a bearing carrier 44. The bearing carrier 44 is illustrated in detail in Figure 10 and has a cylindrical housing 176 with a securing flange 178 extending radially therefrom. A connecting shaft 180 is rotatably supported within the housing 176 by bearings 182 and 184. The bearing 132 is positioned in a cap member 186 that is detachably secured to the housing 176 by means of bolts 188. An aperture 190 is provided in the housing 176 to provide a means for lubricating bearings 182 and 184. Ring members 192 and 194 seal the open ends of the housing 176 to retain the lubricant therein.

The bearing housing 176 is secured to the wheel assembly supporting member body portion 66 in the same manner as the differential 32. Bolts: 196 extend through the apertures in the supporting bracket body, portion 66 7 .means connecting'one'of said?v differential tran'sverse cut thebearingcarrier 44itol theiwheelzfassemmy. .jn:

' With this: arrangementztherid'rivingiconnections between aipairrof wheel assembliesi38:ron ;opposite sides of .the

vehicle; includei awdifferential 32,. a:- transverse; shaft. 42 and a bearing. carrier '44.;dTlieipositioning ofthe bear ing carrier 44? and the differential 321s asrnatter ofrelative position'siof;therbearingrcarrier 44 and: the dife.

ferentialtcarrier140. I I v From the foregoingldescriptiorrrof myidrive'ameans it is apparent that all wheel.assemb1ies 38;differentials232 in carriers 140. and:b.earing. carriers :44 areinte'rchange. able, thus minimizing-whet sparetparts' inventories," and eliminating possible errorIiniassem'bly: or repair ofthe vehicledrive means.

mechanism are housed: within .separate enclosures so that the lubrieantzwithin these enclosures-remainssub stantially free of contamination, from ad ust or other contaminants. This featurezrofzmy wheel'assembly reduces thewear of moving partsand assures longer trou:

ble free performance of .my vehiclez a Although I have describediiboth the. differentialand bearing carrier as-b'eing= detachablysecured to the wheel assembly supporting'bracketbodyi portion, it should be understood that the differential 32'or thebearing-carrier 7 44 could be secured, withEequaleaseflorthe; vehicle frame side portions 46. w i

According to therprovisionsa of ntheipatent statute, I have explained the principle, preferred'construction and mode of operation of-myl invention: and have illustrated and described whatlfnow'considerto representits best However, .;I. desinector'ahave. it understood embodiment, that, within the scope of the appended: claims, the'invention maybe practiced otherwise thancas specifically illusf trated and described. p

Iclaim: 1. A vehicle includ' g a -frame,a"pair.of' duplicate power driven steerable 'wheel assemblies one on each side of said frame, each'of saidwh'eel assemblies includ ing a supporting bracketsecured to said. vehicleframe, said supporting fbracket having arecessed :portion with a' vertical end wall and an open endportion, said open end portion facing said fiame,.drive gearing mounted within the lateral limits of said wheel assembly for driv ing said wheel, a dilferentialgcarrier, :a differential positloned m sa1ddifferential= carrier,- saididifferential carrier positioned in onciof said supporting'bracket recessed portrons, means to detachably secure.said' differential carrier within said supporting: bracket: recessed portion,

put shafts to said adjacent wheel assembly drive gearing, and means including a transverse shaft" connectingvthe other of said differential transver'se output shafts to said drive gearing in 'saidother wheel":asser'nbly.

2. A vehicle including a frame,;a pair' or; duplicate power driven steerable wheel assemblies one on each side of said frame, each ofQsaid"wheelfassemblies. includ.-

ing a supporting bracket havinga body portion and a king pin receiving portion, saidf'body portionsecui edto said frame, said body portion. having a cup shaped recessed portion with a vertical'end Welland an openend I I portion, said open end portion"facing said ,frame, said recessed portion. vertical end wallhavingan aperture therethrough, a spindle bracket pivotally mounted on said supporting bracket, .a'wheelhavinga body portionand an inwardly extending-'scylindr'ic'al hub portion, an external toflthedifing gear mounted onsaid wheelhub pe My..whee1 assembly 38' may be easily lubricated whilethe wheel 34 is mounted thereon.- Also, the drive gearing'for'. the wheel and the differential tion external'surface, a-smallrpinion gear :rotatablyjlsupg ported by saidspindleibr'acket below saidwheelrhub in meshing relation with said largege'ar; 1 a differentialcarri'er, a differential positioned said differential carrier and. having "power output shafts "extending transversely therefrom; said idifierential carrier positioned in one of said: .recessed portions between one of said supporting bracket body portions and said adjacent vehicle frame;

'means'to detachably secure said'diiferential carrier with? in said supporting! bracket cylindrical recessed portion with onesof said differential poweroutput shafts extendmg through said'vertica'l wall aperture, Iuniversalmeans connecting said lastzsnamedudifierential power output:

shaft to said adjacent small pinion gear, a transverse shaft connected at onewend to: said difierentia'l and extending transversely to" said vehicle framejand second universal means connecting said transverse s'haft to said other small 1 piniongear' in said other wheel assembly.

- 3."A'vehicle includingra frame, a pair 1of duplicate power driven; steerable wheel assemblies on e on "each side of said frame, each of said wheel assemblies including a' supporting bracket having abody? portion and a kingpin receiving portion, said body portion having ;a pair of ;vertically spaced flange portionsextending toward and secured to i said frame, said body portion having a .cup shapedt recessed portion with a vertical end Wall and an 'openf end portion, said open --'eridportion facing said frame, a .spindle bracket :pivotally mounted on saidsupporting bracket king pin. receiving portion, a wheelvhavinga body portion and an inwardly extending cylindrical hub portionfan annular rim mem be'r' mounted on said wheel,an external toothedring gear mounted on said wheel hub portion external -surface, a small pinion gear rotatably supported by" said spindle bracket below said' whe'el hub in meshing Irelation with said large 1 gear, said gears and su'pporting bracket king pin receiving portion adapted tobe mounted within theilateral limits' of said wheel rim} a diiferential carrier, a'ditferential positioned insaid carrier,- said differential carrier positioned in one of saidfsupporting bracket recessed portions between one of said "supporton 'said wheel; an external: toothed. ring tgearj 'mounted on :saidnwheelr hub, portion external surface, a small pinion: gear itrotatably supported by said spindle bracket below 'said--wheellhub in meshing relation withflsaid' large 'gearfa cylindrical: difierentiali carrier, a differential positioned *in saidl ldifierential Lcarrier; j,said;.cyli'ridrical universal means extending below said king pin in vertical 1 alignment therewith,i-a"second shaft positioned in said other trecessediportio n and 'rotatably supported in said other'supporting bracket aperture and said vehicle frame aperture, second universal means connecting said last named shaft tosaid other small pinion gear, said second a universal means extendingbelow said other king pin'in vertical'alignment therewith, and atransverse shaft connected :at one endsto said second differential output shaftand "extendingrtransversely through said vehicle frame and connectedat the other end to'said last'named shaft; 1 r

;-5 ."Ir i a po,wer' driven steerable wheel assembly the combinationcomprising a supportingbracket havinga bodypo'rtion adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame ing brackets and said adjacent vehicle frame, -rneansfto detachably secure said differential carrier within" said supporting bracketeylindrical recessed portion, universal means connecting said-'differentialto' said adjacent small pinion gear, sa id: universal ,means positioned-below said king ,pin in vertical lalignment therewith, a connecting sliaftipositioned in said other'of saidrece'ssed portions,

ysecondi universal means connecting 7 said "shaft "-to said otherjsmalla pinion gear, said second universal means positionedbelow said' other king pin in vertical alignment therewith, and a transverse shaftconnected at one end to said 7 difierential and extending transversely to said vehicle frame and connected at=the other end to said firstnamedshaftp s I cate: power driven steerable wheel assemblies one on each side of said frame,-each of said wheel assemblies.

including a supporting bracket having a body portion and,a king pinsreceiv ing' portion, said body portion having a pair ofrlvertically spaced' flange portions extending 'tpward and secured to. saidframe, said body portion 4,; A vehicle including frameliaving a pair of transversc1y1alignedzapertures therethrough, a pair of dupli l and a king pin receiving portion,*said king pin receiving portion extending outwardly from and'above said body portion, said king pin receiving portion having a vertical cylindrical bore therethrough, said supporting bracket body portion having a hori zontal cylindrical bore there through below said king pin receiving portiongsaid' horizontal cylindrical boreadapted to receivea driving shaft,

a spindle brackethaving a body portion and a spindle portion, said spindle portionextending horizontally from said' body portion,- f said spindle bracket body portion having ahorizontal cylindrical bore therethrough below said spindle portion; said last nanicd bore being adapted having a'cup shaped recessed portion with a vertical end wall andfiano'pen endlportion, 'said open end portion facing said"framefsaidysupporting bracket body portion having a horizdntaliapertuie therethrough]transverse to tliedongitudinal" axis i off said vehicle and within the peripheryof; saidfrecessed portion, said supporting "bracket-flanged portions-having a pair of horizontally aligned rpassages parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle Tframe, 'ajspindle bracket pivotally mounted on said supporting sbracketxking' pin I receiving portion, a wheel havingra body portion and an inwardly extending .cyli ndricalhub portion, ansannularl member. mounted to support a portion of a power transmitting shaft, said spindle bracket bodypo'rtion having a pair of spaced horizontal flange members extending therefrom, said flange membershaving aligned vertical apertures therethrough, said supporting bracket king pin receiving' portion positioned between said spindle bracket flange members with said vertical cylindrical bore aligned with said flange member apertures, aking pin positioned in said aligned bore and-1 apertures thereby pivotally supporting xsaid spindle"bracket" on said supporting bracket, a wheelmember having an inwardly extending cylindrical hub portion adapted to be rotatably mounted on "said spindle qbrack'et spindle portion,fsaid wheel member cylindrical hub portion having an external toothed ring gear mounted thereon and splined thereto; a spindle bracket" covermember secured to said spindle bracket body portion and having a central aperture there:

through, said wheel'hub portion extending throughsaid spindle bracket cover member aperture, said cover member having a shaft supporting portion below said central aperture, said cover member shaft supporting portion being axially aligned with said'spindle bracket body portion horizontal bore, a power transmitting shaft rotatably positioned in said cover member shaft supporting portion and said spindle bracket"horizontalbore, a pinion gear secured to saidtransmitting' shaft in;meshing relation with sa'id firing gear 'mounted on said wheel hub portion,

and a universal joint connecting means for connecting said power transmitting shaft to a driving shaft which is adapted to extend outwardly through said supporting bracket horizontal bore, said universal means extending below said king pin in vertical alignment therewith.

6. In a power driven steerable wheel assembly the combination comprising a supporting bracket having a body portion adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame and a king pin receiving portion, said king pin receiving portion extending outwardly from and above said body portion, said king pin receiving portion having a vertical cylindrical bore therethrough, said supporting bracket body portion havinga horizontal cylindrical bore therethrough below said king pin receiving portion, said horizontal cylindrical bore adapted to receive a driving shaft, said supporting bracket body portion having an inwardly extending recessed portionadapted to receive a cylindrical differential carrier therein, a spindle bracket having a body portion and a spindle portion, said spindle portion extending horizontally from said body portion, saidspindle bracket body portion having a horizontal cylindrical bore therethrough below said spindle portion, said last named bore being adapted to support a portion of a power trans mitting shaft, said spindle bracket body portion having a pair of spaced horizontal flange members extending therefrom, said flange members having aligned vertical apertures therethrough, said supporting bracket king pin receiving portion positioned between said spindle bracket flange members with said vertical cylindrical bore aligned with said flange member apertures, a king pin positioned in said aligned bore and apertures thereby pivotally supporting said spindle bracket on said supporting bracket, a wheel member having an inwardly extending cylindrical hub portion adapted to be rotatably mounted on said spindle bracket spindle portion, said cylindrical hub portion having an external toothed ring gear mounted thereon and splined thereto, a spindle bracket cover member secured to said spindle bracket body portion and having a central aperture therethrough, said wheel hub portion extending through said spindle bracket cover member central aperture, said cover member having a shaft supporting portion below said central aperture, said cover member shaft supporting portion being axially aligned with said spindle bracket body portion horizontal bore, a power transmitting shaft rotatably positioned in said cover member shaft supporting portion and'said spindle bracket horizontal bore, a pinion gear secured to said transmitting shaft in meshing relation with said ring gear mounted on said wheel hub portion, and a universal joint connecting means for connecting said power transmitting shaft to said driving shaft which is adapted to extend outwardly through said supporting bracket horizontal bore, said universal means extending below said king pin in vertical alignment therewith.

7. In a power driven steerable wheel assembly the combination comprising a supporting bracket having a body portion adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame and a king pin receiving portion, said king pin receiving portion extending outwardly from and above said body portion, said king pin receiving portion having a vertical cylindrical bore therethrough, said supporting bracket last named bore being adapted to support a portion of a power transmitting shaft, said spindle bracket body portion having a pair of spaced horizontal flange members extending therefrom, said flange members having aligned vertical apertures therethrough, said supporting bracket king pin receiving portion positioned between said spindle bracket flange members with said vertical cylindrical bore aligned with said flange member apertures, a king pin positioned in said aligned bore and apertures thereby pivotally supporting said spindle bracket on said supporting bracket, a wheel member having an inwardly extending cylindrical hub portion adapted to be rotatably mounted on said spindle bracket spindle portion, an annular rim member mounted on said wheel,

said wheel member cylindrical hub portion having an external toothed ring gear mounted thereon and splined thereto, a spindle bracket cover member secured to said spindle bracket body portion and having a central aperture therethrough, said wheel hub portion extending through said spindle bracket cover member aperture, said cover member having a shaft supporting portion below said central aperture, said cover member shaft supporting portion being axially aligned with said spindle bracket body portion horizontal bore, said power transmitting shaft rotatably positioned in said cover member shaft supporting portion and said spindle bracket horizontal bore, a pinion gear secured to said transmitting shaft in meshing relation with said ring gear mounted on said wheel hub portion, and a universal joint connecting means for connecting said power transmitting shaft to said driving shaft, said pinion gear and said ring gear being mounted within the lateral limits of said wheel rim member, said king pin being mounted substantially within the lateral limits of said wheel rim member, said universal means extending below said king pin in vertical alignment therewith.

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